Justin Rose leads the Masters as he eyes elusive second major title

Veteran Englishman Justin Rose takes the lead at Augusta with hopes of ending his 12-year major drought.

Justin Rose of England lines up a putt on the 11th green during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2025. Photo by Joel Marklund/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Justin Rose leads the Masters as he eyes his elusive second major title, finding himself in familiar territory atop the Augusta leaderboard. After carding a one-under 71 in the second round, the 44-year-old Englishman holds a narrow one-stroke lead heading into the weekend, ahead of a chasing pack full of major champions and top-ranked players.

For Rose, the goal is simple — though never easy: play great golf.

“If it was a secret recipe, you’d know it by now,” Rose said after his round. “But it’s just about playing great golf. You’re going to have to want it, go for it, and get after it. It’s as simple as that, really.”

The leaderboard is brimming with world-class talent. US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau trails Rose by just one shot. Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy is two strokes back, sharing third place with Canadian Corey Conners. Defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is just three shots adrift and very much in contention.

With that level of competition, Rose knows that precision and mental toughness are non-negotiable if he’s to finally add a second major title to the US Open trophy he hoisted in 2013.

An old friend at Augusta

Augusta National has long been a stage where Rose has shined. Thursday’s opening-round 65 marked the fifth time he has led the Masters after a round — a testament to his comfort with the course’s nuances. Though his follow-up 71 on Friday wasn’t as electric, it was steady enough to keep him atop the leaderboard.

“It was a decent day,” Rose said. “Could have been a little better. I didn’t take advantage of the par-fives on the back nine and had some misjudgments on 14 and 17.”

Those two bogeys were disappointing, especially as they followed strong tee shots. But Rose remained composed, recognizing the value of simply staying under par and in the lead.

“Overall, under par, in a great position going into the weekend,” he added.

Chasing a second major title

Rose has flirted with major championship glory many times since his breakthrough at the 2013 US Open. He finished runner-up at the 2015 Masters and came heartbreakingly close in 2017, when he lost in a playoff to Sergio Garcia. Most recently, he surged into contention at last year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla, eventually finishing tied for sixth.

He also managed to qualify for the Open Championship and briefly led before finishing two strokes behind the eventual winner, Xander Schauffele.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to knock on the door,” said Rose, acknowledging that his recent performances have been encouraging. “At Valhalla, I made a run into contention, which was great. I got more and more comfortable the higher I climbed up the leaderboard.”

He emphasized that confidence — especially later in his career — plays a crucial role in handling the pressure of major weekends.

A golden career, even without a second major

Despite the 12-year gap since his first major win, Rose doesn’t dwell on the drought. His resume boasts several achievements that few golfers can match. Most notably, he won Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games — a defining moment that he ranks among the highlights of his career.

“Winning the Olympic Gold Medal gave me a lot of satisfaction,” he said. “Getting to world number one, winning the FedExCup — those are big milestone moments that distract you from the fact you haven’t won a major during that time.”

Rose has also been a consistent force on the European Ryder Cup team, known for his calm presence and clutch performances under pressure.

Experience, hunger, and timing

Now 44, Rose is among the more seasoned players in this year’s Masters field. But he doesn’t see age as a disadvantage. Instead, he views his current run as an “Indian Summer” — a late-career flourish where his knowledge, patience, and strategic thinking can outweigh the raw power of younger players.

That mindset was evident in how he navigated Augusta’s challenges over the first two rounds. Rose wasn’t always perfect — his second round included missed opportunities — but he remained steady and resilient, avoiding major mistakes.

“I think the leaderboard is stacking up very favorably for what looks like world-class players right up there,” Rose said. “So you're going to have to play great golf.”

With Augusta set to challenge even the best in the coming rounds, Rose knows the weekend will test every facet of his game — physically and mentally.

Can Rose finally win the Masters?

The question now is whether Rose can finally convert a promising position at Augusta into a win. The field is stacked, the pressure will be immense, and the course is likely to play even tougher over the weekend. But Rose appears calm, focused, and driven.

He’s not chasing ghosts. He’s not trying to reinvent himself. He’s simply playing with intent, experience, and belief.

“I don’t think I can do anything differently,” he said. “I just need to keep knocking and eventually the door will open.”

For Justin Rose, leading the Masters as he eyes his elusive second major title feels like both a return and a new beginning. Whether or not he slips on the green jacket this Sunday, his pursuit is a story of perseverance, passion, and the enduring quest for greatness.

And as history shows, few players have knocked as often — or as gracefully — as Rose.